Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-24
AFAHOUs SCULPTOR.
Edward yirgtTtuS Valentine and
come of sGis Works.


Edward Y. Valentine. whose wonder
full sculptures have made his name ia
miliar one to all lovers Of art, passed
through the city yesterday, IN route to
his home in Richmond, Va. Southern
people feel n peculiar interest in the
great sculptor, aud his roundabout jour
ney from Lexington, Ky, has been one
continued ovation. and the occasion of
many pleasant and pathetic incidents.
The distinguished gentleman was found
Yesterday afternoon at his room IN tho
Kimball. Mr.. Valentine is OF medium
height, with intellectual forehead, slight
moustache and beard-pleasant, cour-
teous. and highly entertaining.
The unwilling of the Breckinridge
monnmentin Lexington, November 10th,
in the presence of $4,000 people, and
the glowing tributes paid upon that oc.
casiou to the great sculptor, are still
fresh in the minds of the Constitution
readers. From Lexington, Mr. Nalen-
tine passed through Louisville, Nash
Vile, Memphis, and New Orleans, stop
ping in the latter place with his life
long friend, Colonel William Preston
Johnston, and everywhere he was the re-
cipient of kindest regard.
SALT is my first trip west OF the Allie
ghapies, he remarked pleasantly, "and
/ am delighted with the trip. Why, 1t
has been areveation to me. The people
have everywhere been hospitable and
kind to an unusual degree, and appre-
ciate it very much, indeed.
81 am. as You may know" he con-
tinued, ga devoted southener, being
born in Richmond November II, 1928,
and have spent most OF my life in that
place. But this was my first opportu-
nitv 10 visit the Southwest, and 1t has
been a delightful trip. saw something
in Atlanta that makes me love it. Ii Was
out on Peachtrce street. IT vast group
the Amazon grOup--frOm The original OF
my grand old tutor, Professor Kiss, Of
Berlin. Many hours | have studied in
the shadow Of its original, and it carried
me back to Berlin and to old times. !
stopped and gszed at that beautiful
eroup for manyIninutes, and it made
me feel as though l was at home i'll At
lanta."
My scrap book? in reply to re-
mark of the reporter "Oh, yes, 1t IS
always with me.
The first photograph was OF the famous
Lee statue over Lees grave mt LeXing-
ton. Va. The statue was taken from a
bust, and the familiar features of the
great Confederate were reproduced with
wonderful truth.
THAT is the Colonies uniform TO
which he was so much attached. The
bust was taken from life, and he himself
was very much pleased with it. That is
General Joe Johnston and that is Beau
regard That handsome face, with curly
hair, that is Edwin Booth"
" Are all of them taken from life ?"
"Oh, yes and am very proud of my
collection. have by far the finest in the
world of the Confederate officers That
is Commodore Naury that is General
Pickett, and that is G.. ?. Il. James, the
novelist; that is Robert Y. Hayne. and
that is Memminger Those last two were
made for Charleston.
Then there was the " Penitent Thief. "
The face was drawn in fearful agony,
but the eyes we're turned heavenward,
and shone with the Light Of great
hope.
But the masterpiece. 1t carried you
back to troubled Troy. Hector had gone,
and AndromaChe is seated, the distaH III
her lap and the thread wound loosely
over the foretinger OF the right hand.
Tho far. away, wistful look of the princely
mother was in wonderful contrast to that
of her child, whose face is turned to
hers in childish sympathy AID wonder
and smiling sweetly. But the mothers
thoughts are with her warrior husband,
and the distaff, omblematic in her beau
liful religion OF the thread Of life, is pc
culiarly suggestive. As the thread
touches the base of the statue q lizard,
emblematic Of death, gnaws at its fibre.
1t was grand it was exquisite. The
sculptor drew photo from his pocket
and placed it beside that OF the .group.
II was woman's face, gentle, pure, and
kind.
ssThat's Andromache !" exclaimed the
reporter.
''Yes l like for people TO say so. y
He looked at the face for moment, and
added reverently : "That is my wife,"
This group is the one OF which Law
renee Barrett said "That face OF An